Finding Your Voice With ODPH’s Ken M: From Day-One Nerves to 800+ Episodes

Geek Freaks Interviews

Ken M from the Ocho Duro Parlay Hour joins Frank to unpack how ODPH started, why the long title became “the O.D.P.H.,” and what it takes to keep a show thriving for years. We get into releasing that first episode on Memorial Day 2017, the shift toward video, editing choices that keep conversations human, and how community support has changed since the early “podcast Twitter” days. Ken also shares a favorite New York Comic Con memory and talks about leadership at Nerd Initiative and what’s next.

00:00 — Meet Ken M and the ODPH origin story, including an early detour and why the show finally launched in 2017.
01:25 — Naming the show: craps “hard 8,” parlay, and why they shortened it for listeners.
04:41 — Rehearsals, buying gear, and the decision to ship on Memorial Day 2017.
05:57 — “Day and night”: how episode one compares to today and crossing 800 episodes.
08:03 — Still nervous sometimes, and why that spark matters; an NYCC moment with Scott Snyder.
13:19 — Money talk and podfade: expectations, Patreon, and why consistency wins.
17:19 — From retweet rings to real support: how the community evolved.
22:38 — Video vs audio: what changed after 2020 and why audio isn’t going anywhere.
31:16 — Editor in Chief in 2023, creative freedom, and moving on in good standing.
42:11 — Editing philosophy: keep the “ums,” fix the facts, sound natural.

• Ship it before it’s “perfect.” Momentum beats perfection, especially early on.

• It’s normal to feel some nerves. That’s part of what keeps interviews exciting and honest.

• Audio isn’t dying. Video grew fast after 2020, but audio remains a core, durable medium.

• Edit for clarity, not polish. Keep natural cadence and correct only what truly needs it.

• Community has matured. Shoutouts with substance beat retweet loops every time.

• Consistency over vanity metrics. Focus on craft and cadence to outlast podfade.

• “The audio will be here till the end of time.”

• “If we make it sound too perfect, people are going to think it’s not.”

• “If your goal is all monetary, you’re in the wrong business.”

• “He has a fantastic podcast. You need to check it out.” (Scott Snyder at NYCC)

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TV & Film, Entertainment News, Interviews, Podcasting, Geek Culture, ODPH, New York Comic Con, Editing Tips, Video Podcasting, Community Building

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